Coumadin Clinic

Coumadin® is a blood-thinning medication that prevents blood clots. When taking Coumadin, you need regular lab tests to see how well your blood clots, and to assess the effectiveness of the medication. Catalyst Medical Group in Lewiston, Idaho, is a full-service multi-specialty practice that has a Coumadin clinic. Thank you for visiting us online and if you are using Coumadin, please call the Coumadin clinic to schedule an appointment.

What is Coumadin®?

Coumadin, a brand name for warfarin, is a prescription medication that stops blood clots from forming.

Blood clotting is important when you have a cut or wound because it stops the bleeding. Blood clots can form in your blood vessels, causing health problems like a heart attack, stroke, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Who needs to go to a Coumadin clinic?

Anyone taking Coumadin needs to go to a Coumadin clinic. The medication slows down your blood’s clotting ability.

The blood test you need when taking Coumadin is called prothrombin time (PT), which calculates your international normalized ratio (INR), or how long it takes for your blood to clot. The results of this test determine if you need adjustments in your Coumadin dose.

What happens at a Coumadin clinic?

Patients usually begin treatment after surgery or diagnosis by your provider. After your provider sends in the referral form, you will be contacted by a nurse from the Coumadin Clinic to schedule your first appointment. At your first visit, you will be given thorough education about your medication. During your visit, a sample of blood is taken from a fingerstick. You will be asked questions about health and medications to determine if your medication should be adjusted and schedule your next appointment in the Coumadin Clinic. Specially trained nurses perform the testing in the exam room .and then reach out to your provider for any medication changes that need to be made, to the dose of Coumadin you are taking.  

When do I go to the Coumadin clinic?

Medications that thin the blood can be dangerous if not monitored closely. Specifically with Coumadin, your blood clotting time must be checked. When on Coumadin, your labs need to be checked frequently while we work to get your levels in the proper range. The frequency of your visits, to the Coumadin clinic, at Catalyst Medical Group depends on your needs. You will come in at least once a week, when first starting the medication or when in need of a dose adjustment. Once you are on the right dose, your visits are less frequent. Usually about once a month.

If your visit online didn’t address your needs, please call the Coumadin clinic at Catalyst Medical Group for additional guidance or to schedule an appointment.